TUTORIAL T4

Rule based programming using ELAN: a Tutorial

April 1st (full day)

This tutorial on rule-based programming using ELAN will provide an
introduction to rule-based programming and its theoretical foundation:
the rewriting calculus.
ELAN has two first class objects: rewrite rules and strategies to
control the rewrite rule applications. The ELAN environment
includes an efficient compiler for strategy controlled rewrite rules.
The tutorial will introduce the main concepts of ELAN and
compilation techniques for strategy controlled rewriting.
The main features of ELAN will be illustrated with significant
examples in the following application domains: specification and verification
of protocols, meta-programming, constraint solving.

Some preliminary knowledge on declarative programming languages and
algebraic specifications may help but is not mandatory.